Watch: Applicants want to escape pollution, go to Mars

It’s a nerd’s wet dream. More than 600 Chinese applications were submitted in just three days for a one-way ticket to Mars, which will include “dome shaped space capsules” and various forms of radiation. The project is led by eccentric Dutch co-founder Bas Lansdorp, who seeks to bring four humans to the planet by 2023.China Daily tried to get some man-on-the-street style interviews for their coverage of the application process, and utterly nailed it:

Ma Qing, a 39-year-old bookseller, said, “I think the chance to be part of the project is a cool way for me to change a dull daily life. Besides, the air on Mars must be much cleaner and easier to breathe.”

You know your country is polluted when people think the air will be more breathable on a rock planet with no atmosphere. Also, I believe we can assume that Mr. Ma failed his application.